Bills re-sign TE Chandler

ORCHARD PARK — Scott Chandler is returning to Buffalo, where he spent the past three seasons establishing himself as the Bills' top pass-catching tight end.

The Bills announced Thursday that they reached an agreement to re-sign Chandler. The move did not come as a surprise after the team extended the seventh-year player an offer before the NFL's free agency period opened on Tuesday.

Chandler is coming off a year in which he set career highs with 53 catches and 655 yards. In three-plus seasons in Buffalo, he has combined for 135 catches for 1,623 yards and 14 touchdowns in 49 games.

He scored six touchdowns in both 2011 and 2012, matching franchise single-season highs for tight ends. Chandler is the team's first tight end to break 500 yards receiving in consecutive seasons after finishing with 571 in 2012. He also holds the Bills' record for tight ends with 32 consecutive games with a catch.

Chandler's return solidifies a spot that lacked experienced depth.

Lee Smith has been used more in blocking situations. In December, Buffalo signed Tony Moeaki, who has been sidelined by injuries for two of the past three seasons. Rookie seventh-round pick Chris Gragg played sparingly last season and needs more time to develop.

Chandler played in college at Iowa and was selected by San Diego in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. He spent two seasons with the Chargers before splitting the next two years between the New York Giants and Dallas.

It wasn't until he was waived by the Cowboys and claimed by the Bills in December 2010 that Chandler had his first NFL catch.

New Bills cornerback Corey Graham talked with the media through a conference call a day after signing with the team.

Graham's desire to play for his hometown Buffalo Bills was so strong, the free agent never let the Washington Redskins finish making their pitch. Informed by his agent the Bills were making a serious bid to sign him, Graham canceled a scheduled dinner with the Redskins' coaching staff to accept Buffalo's offer.

"It was a no-brainer for me," Graham said during a conference call on Thursday, a day after agreeing to a four-year contract. "To come home, and have the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends, and play for a team that I actually always cared about, it's like a dream come true."

Growing up in Buffalo, Graham rooted for the Bills and regularly attended their home games. Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas and special teams star Steve Tasker were among his favorite players. And Graham was miffed at the Bills for failing to give him a sniff in the 2007 draft, when the Chicago Bears selected him in the fifth round.

Those lingering pangs of disappointment are now behind him.

The seventh-year player is coming home as part of a modestly priced free agent class, including guard Chris Williams and linebacker Keith Rivers, which the Bills are counting on to complement a young, developing roster.

"I definitely believe I can be a piece," said Graham, who spent the past two seasons with Baltimore. "I think Buffalo is an up-and-coming team. I mean, they've been good over the years. You need one or two pieces to put together and turn everything around."

Spoken like a true fan.

The Bills hardly have been good during a 14-year run in which they own the NFL's longest active playoff drought. And yet, they're coming off a 6-10 finish under first-year coach Doug Marrone, during which they showed signs of promise. That was particularly evident on defense, which had a franchise-record 57 sacks and finished 10th in the NFL in fewest yards allowed — Buffalo's best ranking since finishing second in 2004.

Graham's addition fills two potential holes. He first carved his reputation for being a solid special teams player, something the Bills' young unit lacked last season. And Graham proved a capable spot starter in 2012 during Baltimore's Super Bowl run.

Taking over for injured starter Jimmy Smith, Graham started the final eight games of the season and all four playoff games. His most memorable performance came in the AFC divisional playoff game, a 38-35 double-overtime win at Denver in which Graham intercepted Peyton Manning twice.

The first he returned for a touchdown. The second one set up the decisive field goal. Overall, the 2011 Pro Bowl selection has 10 interceptions in 109 career games, including 23 starts, and has not missed a game since his rookie season.

"He is a playmaker defensively and on special teams," general manager Doug Whaley said. "We believe he will help the Buffalo Bills improve in both areas in years to come."

The Bills turned their attention to Graham after Nolan Carroll visited the team's facility, but signed with Philadelphia. Graham intends to travel to Buffalo today to sign his contract and meet the coaching staff to discuss his potential role. He's open to anything.

"I still have things to prove, but that's not what I'm about," Graham said. "I'm at the point of my career where I'm going to do whatever it takes."

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